On September 14, 1863, in the morning, Major General Gordon Granger’s Reserve Corps was guarding railroads and depots in the rear, with the 1st Division under Brigadier General James B. Steedman headquartered at Murfreesboro, the 2nd Division under Brigadier General James D. Morgan at Stevenson, and the 3rd Division under Brigadier General R. S. Granger at Nashville. All troops that could be spared were concentrated at Bridgeport on September 11. On the 13th, General Granger left Bridgeport at 7 a.m. on a forced march of 35 miles with J. C. Mitchell’s and Whitaker’s brigades of Steedman’s Division and McCook’s Brigade of Morgan’s Division, reaching this vicinity at 10 o’clock on the 14th. On the 17th, Steedman’s Division made a reconnaissance to Ringgold, drove the enemy out with artillery, and returned here on the 18th. During the afternoon, Whitaker’s Brigade skirmished with Scott’s Cavalry on the Ringgold Road at Spring Creek, McCook’s Brigade was sent to assist Minty’s Brigade at Reed’s Bridge, and later Mitchell’s Brigade supported McCook; both were recalled here early on the 19th, with McCook’s Brigade posted here and Steedman’s Division concentrated at McAfee’s Church two miles east of this point. McCook’s Brigade moved out to McAfee’s Church early on the 20th.